Method for fixing a functional component on a seat upholstery

ABSTRACT

A method for fixing a functional component on a seat padding, comprising the steps of  
     a) fixing a first grip tape strip at at least one place on the functional component;  
     b) fixing a second grip tape strip at at least one place on the seat padding;  
     c) placing the functional component on the site padding in such a way that the first and second grip tape strips overlap each other at least partly and grip together.

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for fixing a functionalcomponent as for example a sensor, on a seat padding.

[0002] In order to efficiently control the deployment of the differentairbags of an automobile, the latter are increasingly equipped withsensors, e.g. for detecting the presence of a passenger on the passengerseat, his/her momentary stature and/or position respectively. Among thedifferent types of sensors used, sensors are found which are integratedinto the seats of the vehicle. These sensors, for example pressuresensors comprising several active areas available on a support, areeither integrated into the seat padding or placed between the paddingand the seat cover, i.e., the seat upholstery.

[0003] The sensors, which are placed between the padding and the seatupholstery, must be fixed onto the padding before the seat upholstery isput into place. This fixture should be durable in order to prevent adisplacement of the sensor during the whole lifetime of the automobile.

[0004] In order to fix its position with respect to the seat, it isknown how to bond the sensor in certain places on the padding. Thisbonding may be done for example with a double face adhesive tape. Thistechnique is not very costly and easy to perform. Unfortunately, thebonding of the sensor on the padding foam is frequently not very durableand suffers from high temperatures especially those which may prevail insummer in the automobile.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide another methodfor fixing a functional component on the seat padding.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a methodfor fixing a functional component on a seat padding, which comprises thesteps of:

[0007] a) fixing a first grip tape strip at at least one place on thefunctional component;

[0008] b) fixing a second grip tape strip at at least one place on theseat padding;

[0009] c) placing the functional component on the site padding in such away that the first and second grip tape strips overlap each other atleast partly and grip together.

[0010] The first grip tape strip preferably comprises a textile tape,the fibers of which form a multitude of loops whereas the second griptape strip comprises a multitude of flexible hooks. These grip tapes arecurrently known, for example as a Velcro fastener. A fixture of thefunctional component with such a grip tape is less stiff than a directbonding of the component onto the padding. Indeed, the flexible hooksprovide damping of a low amplitude side displacement of the functionalcomponent with respect to the seat padding while preventing permanentdisplacement of the component. As a result, the fixture points are moredurable and therefore more reliable than direct bonding points.

[0011] Further, as the two grip tape strips are fixed on theirrespective support, individually i.e., the functional component, and thepadding respectively, the fixing may be achieved by means which are moreadapted to the character of the respective bond. Thus, the first griptape strip is for example, bonded to the functional component. Thefunctional component most frequently comprises a backing sheet insynthetic material on which a very strong bond may be achieved. Theadhesive used for bonding the grip tape strip may be the same one as theone used for laminating the different layers of the functionalcomponent.

[0012] Preferably the second grip tape strip is directly introduced intoa foam from the seat padding. Thus, the second strip is closely bound tothe foam of the padding and a very good adherence of the strip to thepadding is achieved. This adhesion is significantly stronger than aconventional bonding of the tape onto the padding. Thus, a failure ofthe strip's fixture may be excluded effectively.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the second grip tape strip isimbedded into the padding in order to be flush with the surface of thepadding. By this pushing in of the strip, the elevation of the fixtureabove the surface of the padding may be reduced and the negative effectsof the fixture on the seat's comfort may thereby be minimized.

[0014] Alternatively, the second grip tape strip is fixed into surfacechannels of the seat padding which are intended for receiving a fixturebetween the padding and the seat upholstery. These channels for exampleextend sideways from the sitting surface of the seat.

[0015] In order to ensure proper flat fixing of the functionalcomponent, first grip tape strips are preferably fixed in several placesof the periphery of the functional component. Thus, first grip tapestrips may for example be fixed to fasteners of the functionalcomponent, said fasteners extending from the periphery of the functionalcomponent towards the outside. By fixing the sensor by means of thesefasteners, the fixing points may be positioned outside the centralsitting surface of the seat and thus prevent negative effects on thecomfort of the seat.

1. A method for fixing a functional component on a seat padding,comprising the steps of a) fixing a first grip tape strip at at leastone place on the functional component; b) fixing a second grip tapestrip at at least one place on the seat padding; c) placing thefunctional component on the seat padding in such a way that the firstand second grip tape strips overlap each other at least partly and griptogether.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first griptape strip comprises a textile tape, the fibers of which form amultitude of loops, and wherein the second grip tape strip comprises amultitude of flexible hooks.
 3. The method according to any of claims 1or 2, wherein the first grip tape strip is bonded onto the functionalcomponent.
 4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein thesecond grip tape strip is introduced into a foam of the seat padding. 5.The method according to claim 4, wherein the second grip tape strip isimbedded into the padding.
 6. The method according to claims 1 to 5,wherein first grip tape strips are fixed at several places at theperiphery of the functional component.
 7. The method according to any ofclaims 1 to 6, wherein first grip tape strips are fixed to fasteners ofthe functional component, said fasteners extending from the periphery ofthe functional component towards the outside.